Plato believed that learning is a passive process where knowledge is absorbed over time from experiences. Aristotle later observed the phenomenon of association, where ideas and senses become grouped together in the mind. John Locke and Aristotle both taught that the mind is a blank slate at birth and all knowledge comes from learning. Theories of learning then shifted to behaviorism, where Edward Thorndike proposed three laws of learning: readiness, exercise and effect - whereby learning is strengthened by pleasant feelings and practice.

1. M U H A M M A D I S M A I L A N S A R I
T R A I N E R
Educational Psychology
Learning Theories-I

2. the Theory of Recollection or Platonic
epistemology
 Plato (428 BC–347 BC) saw knowledge as an innate
ability, which evolves through experience and
understanding of the world...
 He describes learning as a passive process, where
information and knowledge are ironed into the soul
over time

3. phenomenon of "association”.
 Aristotle approximately 300 B.C observed the
phenomenon of "association”. John Locke
later in the 17th century worked in the same
direction.
 Both philosophers taught that the mind at birth is a
blank slate and that all knowledge has to be acquired
by learning.

4. Law of Association
 a. Law of similarity is the recall of things similar to the
object If you think of one twin, it is hard not to think of the
other.
 b. Law of contrast is the recall of opposite things.For
example If you think of the tallest person you know, you may
suddenly recall the shortest one as well..
 c. Law of contiguity Things or events that occur close to
each other in space or time tend to get linked together in the
mind. If you think of a cup, you may think of a saucer;
 d. Law of frequency The more often two things or events
are linked, the more powerful will be that association.

5. William James (1842–1910)
 He is the father of psychology in America but he also
made contributions to educational psychology. In his
famous series of lectures Talks to Teachers on
Psychology, published in 1899, James defines education
as "the organization of acquired habits of conduct and
tendencies to behavior". He states that
 1-teachers should "train the pupil to behavior" so that he
fits into the social and physical world.
 2-Teachers should also realize the importance of habit
and instinct.
 3-They should present information that is clear and
interesting and relate this new information and material
to things the student already knows about.

6. Edward Thorndike (1874–1949)
 precursors of behaviorism.
 three major laws. These are: the readiness law, the
law of exercise, and the law of effect.

8.  1-The law of readiness states that indivisuals learn
best when they are physicaly, mentally, emotionally
ready to learn and they will not learn well when see no
reason of learned..
 2-The law of exercise states that the stimulus-
response connection is reinforced by practice. Means
learning is strengthening with repeated trial or
practice.It is weakened when trial or practice is
discontinue.
 3- the law of effect describes learning is strengthened
when it is accompanied by a pleasant or satisfying
feelings.learning is weakened when it is associated with
an unpleasant feelings

9. John Broadus Watson (January 9, 1878 –
September 25, 1958)
 He was an American psychologist who established
the psychological school of behaviorism.it is based
on the idea that all behaviors are acquired through
conditioning.
 Conditioning occurs through interaction with the
environment.
 Strict behaviorists believed that any person can
potentially be trained to perform any task, regardless
of genetic background,

10. Classical Conditioning by Ivan Pavlove
 discovered classical conditioning a form of
learning whereby a conditioned stimulus becomes
associated with an unrelated unconditioned
stimulus, in order to produce a behavioral response
known as a conditioned response.
 Noble Prize winner in 1904. He was Russian scholar

13. B.F Skinner in 1938
contributed to the field of psychology by
focusing on operant conditioning of
bhaviourism. Operant conditioning,
is method of learning that occurs
through rewards and punishment for
behavior. For example reward will
encourage one to repeat the behavior.
While punishment will de-motivate.

14. Albert Bandura
 stresses on Observational learning method (social
learning theory) that consists of observing and
modeling another individual’s behavior, attitudes,
or emotional expressions.
 Social learning theory.
 Child learns what he observe from society.

15. Test
 1. “Knowledge is present at birth and all information learned by a person is
merely a recollection of something” .
 (a)the Theory of Recollection or Platonic epistemology
 (b)Laws of association or Associations
 (c)behaviorism
 2. “The mind at birth is a blank slate and all knowledge has to be acquired
by learning”, who believe this?
 (a)Aristotle
 (b)John lock
 (c)Both a and b

 3. “All our senses and ideas are grouped up into a number of associations in
our mind”. Who gave this theory?
 (a)Aristotle
 (b)Plato
 (c)John lock

16. Test
 4. _______________states that all our senses and ideas are grouped up into a
number of associations in our mind.
 (a)Laws of association or Associations
 (b)the Theory of Recollection or Platonic epistemology
 (c)constructivism
 5. “Learning is strengthened when it is accompanied by a pleasant or satisfying
feelings. It is weakened when it is associated with an unpleasant feelings”. Identify
the law.
 (a)the law of excercise
 (b)law of effect
 (c)law of readiness
 6. ___________states that the stimulus-response connection is reinforced by
practice
 (a)Law of contiguity.
 (b)law of contrast
 (c)law of excercise